Monday, August 31, 2009

Graduate students and staff's frequently asked questions (FAQs)often relate to what constitutes "hot topics" that they can embark for their research. Why is it important to do research that everyone is interested in?. Simply because, publications on these topics are in demand and researchers could publish their work in good, indexed, reputable journals. The RiskMetricsGroup (RMG) identifies four important topics for 2009/2010. They are Accounting Convergence, Credit Crisis, Executive Compensation and Climate Change. For details, please visit http://www.riskmetrics.com/knowledge/

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Today, there is a shifting landscape for knowledge generation in contemporary societies towards transdisciplinary (TD) research. TD relates to the process with the convergence among disciplines, accompanying by a mutual integration of the disciplinary epistemologies. Due to its importance, there's new research Institute such as Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer Centers ( e.g.https://www.compass.fhcrc.org/trec/), Transdiciplinary Studies (e.g. www.woodbury.edu/), TD journal (e.g International Journal of Transdiciplinary Research - IJTR) and even TD Research Award (see UNMC/Nottingham Academic Staff Transdisciplinary Research Awards. (ASTRA) at www.nottingham.edu.my/Faculties/.../UNMCASTRAscheme09.pdf In line with the university's research cluster, ARI proposes to undertake TD as its way forward for doing research....

Friday, August 28, 2009

Puan Amrizah Kamaluddin had her PhD viva this morning and was given a "pass with minor correction". Insyaallah, after doing the corrections, she would be in time to receive her scroll in the November convocation. Congratulations to Dr Amrizah and her three supervisors.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

One of ARI's associates, Associate Professor Dr Noraini Mohammed is now back to UiTM after more than three (3) years being seconded to other government agencies. She was at the Ministry of Higher Education in Putra Jaya and then to SMIDEC for eight months. I am sure she can ficilitate and advise us on how and where to get external research grants from the industry....

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The Research Management Institute (RMI) organized a half-day workshop to discuss the university's strategic direction for research for the forthcoming Tenth Malaysia Plan (RMK10). The workshop was facilitated by the Assistant Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Abu Bakar Majid. Participants were from among the university's leading researchers. Basically the workshop was able to tabulate some basic directions. A follow-up workshop will take place next week to decide on research clusters and other strategic implementation initiatives.

The university organizes or co-organizes not less than 20 conferences per year. ARI itself had organized five conferences this year. Moving forward, we must take step to register and index our conferences with Scopus or ISI Thomson/WOS. Of course we must maintain the quality of papers. Mr Rajdev from ISI Thomson (Singapore)has recently given me a URL that pretty much provide basic guidelines that need to be followed. Please browse through the internet and related URL to know the details. The next time you organize a seminar or conference, ask yourself whether you have made an attempt to register your conference with Scopus or ISI Thomson: http://pkp.sfu.ca/node/620

Monday, August 24, 2009

Interesting contents. This site was sent to me by Prof Dr Szarina Abdullah. In the event that we are starting a new online journal, the information from this site is very useful. Or perhaps we want to put our existing journals online?. Thank Prof Szarina http://pkp.sfu.ca/node/620

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Yes, it's the month of Ramadhan and of course you can find dates being sold everywhere in this country. But how about finding both the trees and the fruits, right here along the main road "Persiaran Keyangan" in Section 8 in Shah Alam?. Perhaps the soil here is fairly suitable for dates (we should do research on this!). There are currently not less than 30 date trees in Shah Alam. They have been there for almost ten years now. I suggest researchers do a study on the possibility of planting dates for commercial purposes right here in Malaysia?. ARI members will need to collaborate with other researchers from other research centres to undertake this project....

Whenever we embark on a project that requires team participation, it is natural for one to ask "What is there for me?", "How will I benefit?" etc. For our RU initiative, we must all think and do things cohesively. It is only when we are together that we will reap great results. The RU thinking should go beyond Self. The question we should be asking is "How can I contribute to this RU initiative?". To get big impact, everyone must contribute....

Saturday, August 22, 2009

As much as possible, all ARI members should present papers at conferences that are indexed with Scopus or ISI Thomson. We still have 3.5 months of 2009 and there are several conferences that are still accepting papers. At the same t ime please make plans for 2010 paper presentations. Please visit isi thomson and scopus websites http://www.scitific.thomsonreuter.com/events/2009/ and http://http://info.scopus.com/overview/what/ for list of conferences that they are indexing for 2009. Be Counted and Make a Difference.....

Friday, August 21, 2009

KUTAI is a centre of excellence set up to champion research and publications in the areas of tropical architechture, heritage and the Malay culture. As a director of ARI, I was invited to UiTM Perak to share our experiences in the setting up and the running of ARI. I can't help but to feel impressed with the vision and the work that have been carried out so far for this centre. In addition to journal publications, KUTAI has the potential to publish book chapters in its niche areas of heritage and tropical architecture. KUTAI can be an international reference centre to those researchers who are interested to conduct research in these areas. Great potential indeed...

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The two-day workshop which started today will continue until tomorrow at the Wawasan Room, Galeri Tunku Zahariah, UiTM shah Alam. The facilitator, Dr Mohd Syazwan Abdullah is from UUM. About 30 participants, who are mostly our PhD students had registered for the workshop. Thank you to Associate Professor Dr Zuraidah and her committee for organising the event.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Just to inform all ARI members of the existence of a local database called the Malaysian Abstracting and Indexing System (MyAIS). The system was developed and is currently maintained by the University of Malaya. I wish to urge all members to register all journals and other university publications with the database system. This will facilitate the citation of our publications by both local and international researchers. For details of this local database, please browse MyAIS as follows: http://myais.fsktm.um.edu.my

Some of us are very good teachers. How then could we contribute towards the university's research initiatives? Perhaps one of the best starting points is for us to conduct research in the area of "teaching & learning". I recently "bumped" into a website in Indiana USA that discusses about doing research in teaching & learning. I am attaching an excerpt of the website. Please browse the website for details. http://mypage.iusb.edu/~gmetteta/HomePage.html

Beginner's Guide to Research on Teaching and Learning An overview: This is the best place to start!. From research to publication

Among the resources available for you to explore will include the following: 1. Bibliography of "how to" books 2. Sources of data for research on teaching and learning 3. Links to Web sites 4. How to report statistics in a research report 5. APA reference style sheet 6. ERIC database 7. Submitting your report to ERIC

Sunday, August 16, 2009

The latest issue of the Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting (JoFRA, Vol 7 No 1) is just out. ARI members who are keen to get a copy of the journal please contact Ms Wan Mariati. The next publication of Vol 7 No 2 is expected to be out by end of 2009. Interested authors please submit your papers to the journal administrators as soon as possible. Usually the whole process of paper reviewing will take between 2-3 months. So please submit your paper early...

Friday, August 14, 2009

Puan Intan Salwani, the head of the Accounting Information System SIG who is also ARI's research associate will be developing a new data management system for ARI. Premised on the RU/COE requirement format, the system will facilitate the recording of ARI's research, publication, consultancy, program and other related activities. Members can enter their contributions as and when the activities are completed. Thanks Puan Intan.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

All ARI's units of excellence will be conducting writing workshops this month to finalize the publication of Book Chapters for this year. Book chapters are much in demand by the industry as the chapters are usually written based on a specific theme. The chapters are basically a mixed of conceptual and empirical data and they make easy readings amongst professionals and practitioners. The Asian Management Accounting Research Centre (AMARC) group will be organising a two-day workshop in UiTM Dungun this weekend. The group is targeting to publish four books with 44 chapters. The other research centres and SIGs will be organising theirs soon. ARI is expecting to publish about 20 book chapters for this year.

Great news for all other professionals who had always aspired to obtain a dual professional qualification. The CPA Australia has recently announce a "new entry pathway" that could be taken by lawyers, engineers, doctors and other professional to acquire an accounting professional qualification. For details, please browse a newly established microsite: nowboarding.cpaaustralia.com.au

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

If ARI were to further expand its wings globally, the call for the day is for us to be involved with transdiciplinary research. Listed below are lists of international grant providers that focus on interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, international network dedicated to discovering and applying transdisciplinary research approaches: 1. The Metanexus Global Network (MGN) http://www.metanexus.net/globalnetwork/2. International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) http://www.irex.org/3. Fogarty International Research Collaboration Award http://www.fic.nih.gov/programs/research_grants4. International Research Grants (IRG) http://www.nrf.ac.za/services/isl/5. The International Development Research Centre (Canada) http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev- 56760-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html6. The International Education Research Foundation http://www.ierf.org/grants.asp

ARI members are encouraged to browse the websites and get the details. Please apply for these international grants and go beyond accounting numbers. Go transdiciplinary...

Monday, August 10, 2009

This morning, the Research Management Institute (RMI) and the University-Industry Linkages Centre (UiLC)organized a MOA and a Letter of Collaboration signing ceremony between UiTM and four organizations namely Perfect Triangle Sdn Bhd, Multi Cipta Engineering Sdn Bhd, Halalgel Sdn Bhd and Lintah Royal Sdn Bhd. The ceremony which was held at the Grand Blue Wave Hotel, Shah Alam was signed by the vice chancellor, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Professor Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah and the respective CEOs of the four companies. The event was attended and witnessed by YB Dato' Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

In tandem with the need for us to publish in indexed journals, ARI wishes to invite all members to participate in the forthcoming conference which is jointly organized by IEEE (Malaysia) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, UiTM. The conference proceeding is indexed by Scopus. Perhaps a paper on financial re-engineering, corporate re-engineering.... The conference: International Congress On Engineering Education (ICEED 2009); Date: 7-8 December 2009; Venue: Kuala Lumpur

For more information please visit http://www.ieeemalaysia.org/iceed2009

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Today, the applied research class participants presented their proposed methodology for their projects. They were also asked to propose names for the 4-5 Tables and Charts that they would use to present their research findings in the final report. As a whole, there were a lot of progress since our last meeting three weeks ago. Those who attended the class today can now proceed to collect their research data. Our next meeting on 29th August will discuss research findings and data analysis. Great job everyone...

Friday, August 7, 2009

A lot of ARI researchers are also now focussing on writing book chapters. I saw a website on "How to Write a Book Chapter that Guides Your Readers Like a Yellow Brick Road" (see http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/how-to-write-a-book-chapter-that-guides-your-readers-like-a-yellow-brick-road-513206.html} for details. Listed below are excerpts from the website which include the following 10 elements that we need to focus on:

1. Sizzle your chapter title: Create grab you by the collar chapter titles. You can immediately follow up with a subtitle that emphasizes and explains the title's meaning. Or you may consider a brief quotes.

2. Insert brief quotes: You may follow each title one or two quotes from your speeches or other authorities in your field which support the title.

3. Write an Introduction: Begin each chapter with 6-8 paragraphs of introduction. The introduction may include a short story presenting the chapter's main principle or underlying thesis. For short books 3 to 4 paragraphs work best. You don't want your introduction to over power your chapter.

4. Create an opening statement: For example, you could open each chapter with a thought provoking question or a startling statistic that show where your audience is now (before reading your book.) Many authors begin with a short analogy or story. Whatever you decide to open with, create an attention getter to hook your reader.

5. Prepare a thesis statement: After your short introduction including your hook (opening statement), write your thesis. Keep it simple; let your readers know what benefits await them if they keep reading. For example, one author friend uses sizzling bullet points to entice the reader into the chapter. You may place them right below quote or directly below introduction.

6. Write 7 to 10 points: Next, you may be write lessons or present tools used to achieve the goal presented in the introduction. Condense your material as you develop each point. Some lessons may require one paragraph and others may need several.

7. Include case studies: Incorporate one or more story form case studies that support the chapter's central idea.

8. Add self-evaluation tools: Add brief questions that permit readers to measure their progress with each of the principles described inside the chapters.

9. Summarize your chapter. Each chapter may end with four to eight paragraphs that summarize the central idea and supporting points. Don't forget to hold the carrot out at the end: insert 1-2 sentences at the end of your summary to entice your readers with benefits waiting in the next chapter.

10. Use engagement tools. Create active participants of your book readers using engagement tools like worksheets and note sheets. Make lists, questions to ponder or boxed tips to actively engage your readers instead of allowing them to be observers.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

One of the most important sessions of the MACFEA seminar was the forum on consumerism. Three distingushed speakers, namely Assoc Professor Dr Laily Paim from UPM, Mr Mohamed Akwal Sultan from the Agensi Kaunseling & Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) a subsidiary of Bank Negara Malaysia and Mr Nurwandi, a project director from the Association of Muslim Consumers took part in the discussion focussing on "Strenthening Consumer Power". The forum dealt with issues on the role of tertiary institutions in educating the consumers; the "credit card phenomena" and the "Halal issues".

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

ARI is proud to co-host the MACFEA's 13th annual conference. The two-day conference (4-5 August 2009)which was held at the Concorde Hotel, Shah Alam was graced opened by the Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. A dialog session with the minister was held immediately after the opening ceremony. In conjunction with the event, more than fifty papers were presented. ARI's research fellow, Associate Professor Dr Zuraidah Mohd Sanusi was the conference chair. Congratulations to all committee members...

Monday, August 3, 2009

A special commemorative convocation was organized today to honour the First Lady, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor. The honorary doctorate was conferred by the His Majesty Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, (the Agong and King of Malaysia) to her in recognition of her contributions towards children education. Also in attandance to witness the event was the Prime Minister Dato' Ser Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak. Congratulation Datin Paduka Seri Dr Rosmah Mansor.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

As part of UiTM's preparation for the research university initiative, a group of officers visited USM's top centre of excellence, the Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM) in USM Kubang Kerian campus in Kota Baru. As a director of ARI, I was also included as one of the delegates. The delegation was headed by Prof Dr Azni Zain Ahmed. INFORMM is not only the top COE in USM, it is also recognized as the leading COE by the Ministry of Higher Education. INFORMM's director Prof Dr Rusli Ismail and the deputy director Prof Phua gave a half day briefing on the institute. It was indeed worthwhile trip. Thank you INFORMM.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

ARI and UiTM wish to thank the USM Kubang Kerian campus director Prof Dato' Dr Mahfawzy for hosting UiTM delegates today. From the various sharing sessions that we attended, we learned a lot about USM's research initiatives & strategies and how the university dealt with issues involving people and resources. One common "denominator" that was clearly shown to us was their sense of committment and their love for the university.

As part of their scheduled visits, members of the RU Sub-committee headed by Prof Dr Abu Bakar Majeed, the Assistant Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) visited ARI and the Faculty of Accountancy this afternoon. Basically the main aim of the visit was to brief ARI and faculty members on the technical aspects of the RU form. The team had also discussed on possible short-term and long-term strategies of enhancing publications in indexed journals (i.e journals registered with Scopus & WOS).

Launching of HICoE : ARI Recognized as a HICoE at PICC on 1st April 2010

A Proud Moment for ARI Members

A group photo taken at the Putrajaya Convention Centre (PICC), right after the launching of six Higher Institutions' Centres of Excellence

Driving a Research Niche in Islamic Financial Criminology

As a HICoE, the Accounting Research Institute focuses on a niche research area in Islamic Financial Criminology (IFC). In essence, IFC can be further subdivided into two research thrusts: Islamic Accounting & Muamalat and Financial Criminology. Though each research area can stand on its own, IFC aspires to support Malaysia's vision of becoming a leading and global Islamic Finance hub. Through basic and applied research, IFC integrates useful Islamic principles and concepts in achieving potential deliverables such as:1. New Research Products in Islamic Accounting & Muamalat2. New Research Products in Islamic Finance and Investment3. New policy/framework in Financial Criminology4. Integrating Islamic Principles to mitigate financial fraud5. Developing Financial Fraud Indicators and Typologies6. NPO Governance, AML/CFT and Corporate Integrity

Moving Beyond Numbers

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) is one of the six centres of excellence (HiCoE) recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Malaysia. Currently ARI's fundamental research is in the area of Islamic Financial Criminology. Since its formation in 2003, ARI has evolved from a small SIG to a MOHE HICoE. Today ARI coordinates eight research centres that have been co-established with various national and international professional agencies: CIMA-UiTM Asian Management Accounting Research Centre (AMARC); UiTM-MICG Corporate Governance Research Centre (CGRC); UiTM-ACCA Financial Reporting Research Centre (FCRC); UiTM-ACFE Asia-Pacific Forensic Accounting Research Centre (AFARe); UiTM-CPA Australia Public Sector Accounting Research Centre; UiTM-ACCA Asia-Pacific Sustainability Research Centre (APCeS), Government-Linked Companies Research Centre (GLCRC)and Islamic Accounting and Muamalat Research Centre (IAMRC).